Theme: Building a Stronger Community
Topic: “Leading with Purpose: Women at the Heart of Community Development”
Our Host and Esteemed Senator Representing Lagos-West Senatorial District, H.E. Senator Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule,
Honourable Members of the National Assembly and Lagos State House of Assembly,
Distinguished Guests,
Respected Women Leaders,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning Great Nigerian Women,
It is both an honour and a privilege to be here at this historic first edition of the Lagos-West Senatorial District Women’s Assembly. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to our host, H.E. Senator Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, for inviting me to speak and for her foresight and leadership in convening this timely and vital platform.
This assembly is not just a conversation, it is a movement. A rallying call for women to rise, lead with intention, and shape the communities we live in. It is an opportunity to reaffirm a truth we know too well: that when women lead, communities flourish.
Leading with Purpose: Why It Matters
What is Leadership: Leadership is not defined by the title or position you hold, but by the influence you wield and the impact you make. It is about being intentional, about leading with clarity, compassion, and purpose and making a difference in peoples lives.
We must ask ourselves: What kind of leader do I want to be? What kind of community do I want to help build? What legacy do I want to leave behind?
Every action we take no matter how small must be guided by purpose. Leadership without purpose is directionless. But purposeful leadership especially from women has the power to transform lives, uplift generations, and build stronger, more resilient communities.
Some people by their deeds and actions harm their communities, not necessarily out of malice, but out of ignorance. That is why the ability to reflect, analyze, and foresee the consequences of our actions before we act is fundamental to leadership.
There are two powerful tools amongst others that help us build this capacity in my view:
Mentorship – Learning from those who have walked the path before us.
Continuous Learning – Drawing lessons from our experiences and from the world around us.
At WISCAR, we have institutionalized this belief through our structured mentoring programme, which has empowered thousands of women to lead with confidence and competence. We have gone even further to chronicle and document our Mentoring Model and experiences in the WISCAR Mentoring Book which we published and launched last year. I have a few copies here with me which i will leave with HE. The book is also available for purchase at the WISCAR Mentoring Centre, 57A Mailand Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi. Or you can send an email to info@wiscar.ng.
Purposeful Leadership Begins at the Grassroots
To lead with purpose, you must start where you are—with your family, your workplace, your community. Every home is a microcosm of the nation. The values we instil in our children, the decisions we make in our daily lives—all contribute to shaping society.
The truth is, you cannot lead from the mountaintop if you’ve never walked through the valley. The most effective and successful leaders are those who have lived among the people, understood their struggles, and led them from the heart.
Leadership starts at the grassroots. If we want to build stronger communities, we must empower women to lead locally and support them as they rise
From Community Engagement to National Impact: Inspiring Examples (ordinary women who have achieved extraordinary things)
We are surrounded by inspiring women whose leadership journeys began in their communities and grew to national—and even global—stature:
Dame Pauline Tallen – From local government to Deputy Governor and Minister of Women Affairs.
Senator Uche Ekwunife – Community organizer turned legislator.
Joke Orelope-Adefulire – From community advocate to SDG champion at the Presidency.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – Africa’s first elected female president, shaped by grassroots activism.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah – Now President of Namibia, rising through the ranks of public service.
Mojisola Lasbat Meranda – A Lagos grassroots politician, now the first female Speaker in 45 years.
H.E. Senator Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule – Our host, a Nigerian writer, an educationist and a politician. A leader whose journey exemplifies commitment to service
These women didn’t wait for permission to lead. They saw a need, took initiative, and made a difference. And you can too.
The Current State of Women’s Representation: A Call to Action
While we celebrate these achievements, we must also confront the sobering reality of women’s underrepresentation in leadership:
In the 2023 elections, only 48 women were elected to State Houses of Assembly out of over 1,000 female candidates just 4.7%. Fifteen states out of 36 states elected zero women.
In the National Assembly, there are only 17 female House of Representatives members; 4 female Senators, and 8 female Ministers out of 48.
This is not progress. It is a setback. We must demand better—not as a favour, but as a fundamental requirement for effective and inclusive governance.
Why Women’s Leadership is a National Imperative
When women lead, everyone (men and women) benefit. Here’s why:
Inclusive Decision-Making – Women bring diverse perspectives that result in policies that serve everyone.
Community Cohesion – Women lead with empathy, collaboration, and bridge-building.
Economic Empowerment – Women in leadership champion entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and local economic development.
Generational Impact – Women role models inspire young girls to dream bigger and reach higher.
Effective Governance – Women lead with a long-term view, grounded in real-life experience
The WISCAR Model: Mentorship that Transforms
At WISCAR, we have spent 17 years nurturing and mentoring women to lead with purpose. The WISCAR Mentoring Book is a repository of real stories, strategies, and insights that guide women on their leadership journey. I encourage every woman here to get a copy, read it, and share it. (mail: info@wiscar.ng)
Mentorship is not just about climbing the ladder it is about holding it steady for others.
The Time is Now: Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress
As we reflect on this year’s International Women’s Day theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” we must remember that:
We are 50% of the population.
We have the numbers to drive change.
We must use our voices, our votes, and our platforms.
Support women candidates. Mentor young women. Encourage ambition and good leadership.
Conclusion: Step Forward, Lead with Purpose
To build stronger communities, we need women in leadership at every level—from the family unit to the Senate chambers, from classrooms to boardrooms, from markets to ministries.
Let us rise with boldness.
Let us lead with clarity.
Let us build with compassion.
Let us partner with male allies.
Let us lead with purpose to build a stronger community and a good society
Thank you for listening.
God bless
Amina Oyagbola, FCIPD, FCIPM, FCIoD, Founder & Chairperson
Women In Successful Careers, delivered this lecture at the Lagos West Senatorial District Women Assembly organised by Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule
